Chevrolet Sees Spike in OnStar Spanish Requests

OnStar forecasts record Spanish-language calls in 2017 from Chevrolet owners in the U.S.

Chevrolet owners are expected to use OnStar's Spanish-speaking advisor team more in 2017 than any previous year. OnStar has provided Chevrolet owners with a dedicated Spanish language team for more than 10 years to help with everything from directions to emergency services. Last year, more than 1,000 Spanish-speaking Chevrolet drivers pushed the blue OnStar button in the United States every single day, an increase of 30 percent from 2013. Chevrolet already has seen nearly 100,000 blue button presses in the first quarter of 2017 and expects these numbers will continue to climb in 2017.

"We understand that not all Chevrolet owners speak English fluently or at all, but we didn't want that to be an obstacle in providing them with the same service we offer all OnStar customers," said Terry Inch, executive director of GM's Global Connected Customer Experience. "As a result, OnStar has a dedicated team of advisors who can help Spanish-speaking customers keep safe, connected and ready for the road ahead."

Chevrolet owners can have their OnStar requests routed to a Spanish-speaking advisor if they prefer. More than 25,000 Chevrolet owners are currently routed directly to OnStar's Spanish-speaking advisors when they push the blue button. There are two ways to sign up for Spanish-language assistance. Chevrolet owners can ask a dealer to enroll them at the time of purchase by pressing the blue OnStar button, prompting a welcome call. During that call, the new owner can request that all future blue button presses route straight to the Spanish team. Existing Chevrolet owners with an active OnStar account can also press the blue button and make the request to transfer to a Spanish-speaking advisor on a case-by-case basis or automatically for every call.

"Across the board, our data tells us that Spanish-speaking customers are well-informed when it comes to in-vehicle technology," Inch said. "In addition to using OnStar core services, we've seen that Spanish-speaking customers are likely to use the myChevrolet mobile app to remote start their vehicles, lock their cars and even check their vehicle's diagnostics."

The OnStar Basic Plan is available for five years at no charge on all new Chevrolet vehicles. Any Chevrolet owner with a 2011 or newer equipped vehicle can also receive three free years of the Basic Plan by hitting the blue OnStar button and asking for "Three Years on Us." The Basic Plan includes access to select features in the myChevrolet mobile app, Dealer Maintenance Notification and Advanced Diagnostics.